Volkswagen XL1, World's Most Fuel-Efficient and Aerodynamic Production Car, Makes U.S. Debut in Chattanooga

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Published: Oct 3, 2013 10:10 a.m. ET

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XL1 Displayed at the 2013 Society of Environmental Journalists Conference

CHATTANOOGA, TN, Oct 03, 2013 (Marketwired via COMTEX) --
The Volkswagen XL1, the most fuel-efficient and aerodynamic
production car in the world, made its U.S. debut at the 23rd Annual
Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) Conference at the
Chattanooga Convention Center today. The XL1 offers an estimated
European combined fuel consumption rating of 261 mpg (more than 200
mpg estimated in the U.S. cycle) and can cover up to 32 miles as a
zero-emissions vehicle in all-electric mode.

"The XL1 offers a glimpse into Volkswagen's present and future
eco-mobility capabilities, and highlights the ultimate successes of
'Thinking Blue,'" said Oliver Schmidt, General Manager of the
Engineering and Environmental Office (EEO), Volkswagen Group of
America, Inc. "Volkswagen is proud to debut this ultra-fuel-efficient
vehicle before the Society of Environmental Journalists, a group that
shares in our commitment to environmental stewardship."

In addition to the XL1 display, Volkswagen's participation in the SEJ
Conference included a tour of its LEED(R) Platinum-certified
Chattanooga manufacturing plant and solar park; test-drives in its
line of eco-friendly cars, such as the e-Golf, Passat TDI Clean
Diesel and Jetta Hybrid; and a bird-watching expedition on Volkswagen
Chattanooga's sanctuary grounds.

XL1 Features
The XL1 is an automotive standout that follows pure
sports-car design principles: light weight (1753 pounds), exceptional
aerodynamics (Cd 0.19), and a low center of gravity. This
super-efficient Volkswagen has the ability to cruise down the road at
a constant 62 mph while using just 8.4 PS (6.2kW) horsepower. In
all-electric mode, the XL1 requires less than 0.1 kWh to cover more
than a kilometer.

The XL1 emits just 21 g/km of CO2, thanks to its high-tech
lightweight design, aerodynamic efficiency, and a plug-in hybrid
system consisting of a 48 PS (35kW) two-cylinder TDI(R) engine, a
27-hp electric motor, a seven-speed DSG(R) dual-clutch automatic
transmission, and a lithium-ion battery.

The estimated European driving cycle of 261 mpg fuel consumption
figure is a record that has not been achieved by any other vehicle to
date, showing that Volkswagen is redefining what is technically
feasible in the automotive industry. The XL1 also has a top speed of
99 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 12.7 seconds.

Conceptually, the XL1 represents the third evolutionary stage of
Volkswagen's 1-liter car strategy. When the new millennium was
ushered in, Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Piech, now Chairman of the
Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG, formulated the visionary goal of
putting into production a practical car that had combined fuel
consumption of one liter per 100 km (235 mpg). In the two-seat XL1,
this vision has become reality.

Despite the tremendous efficiency of the XL1, the engineers and
designers successfully came up with a body design which delivers more
everyday utility than the two previous prototypes. In the L1, the
1-liter car that was shown in 2002 and 2009, the driver and passenger
sat in a tandem arrangement for optimal aerodynamics; in the XL1, the
two occupants sit slightly offset, side by side, almost like a
conventional vehicle.

The XL1 is 153.1 inches long, 65.6 inches wide, and just 45.4 inches
tall. By comparison, a Volkswagen Polo is slightly longer (156.3 in)
and wider (66.2 in), but is significantly taller (57.6 in). Even a
purebred sports car like today's Porsche Boxster is 5.1 inches
taller. The XL1 will look spectacular going down the highway -- a car
of the future, built for today.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of
America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a
subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany.
Volkswagen's operations in the United States include research and
development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution
centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service
centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in
Chattanooga, Tennessee. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest
producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker.
Volkswagen sells the Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Eos, Golf, Golf R,
GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan
vehicles through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers.

About Volkswagen Chattanooga
Opened in 2011, the $1 billion
Volkswagen Chattanooga factory manufactures the US Passat sedan,
specifically designed for the North American market. A 2012
University of Tennessee study found that Volkswagen's presence
created more 12,000 full-time jobs and is responsible for $643
million in annual income in the area, as well as $53.5 million
annually in state and local taxes. The Passat was awarded the Motor
Trend magazine 2012 Car of the Year award. In 2012, the factory
produced more than 152,400 cars. Volkswagen Chattanooga is the first
and still only car factory worldwide with a LEED(R) Platinum
certification. It is also certified according to ISO 14001 for its
environmental management system and according to ISO 50001 for its
energy management system.

Notes:
This press release and images of
the XL1 are available at media.vw.com.

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